December 2 2024 was the last time Darren Moore's Port Vale topped the League Two table. Today, they have a chance to return to the summit of the division, after Bradford clutched defeat from the jaws of victory against Swindon at lunchtime.

To make that happen would require extending their unbeaten run to 13 League Two games, a stretch that has included victories against five of the top 10.

Talk about hitting form at the right time.

Bromley's position just outside that top 10 in their first English Football League season is largely down to forward Michael Cheek, who will look to add to his tally of 21 goals this campaign against the joint-third best defence in the fourth tier.

Buoyed by their biggest EFL win (4-0 against Accrington last time out) this game could see the first-ever professional goal between these two sides, who played out a goalless draw back in December.

In an off-run of form at the turn of the year, Vale had slipped to eighth. Victory today would be another huge step in bouncing straight back to League One next season.

It's getting to that time of the season when some teams don't have much to play for. Not so, in League One - and today's fixtures are the perfect example of that.

There are big games at both ends of the table, with teams facing each other this afternoon both in need of points for different reasons.

Second-bottom Cambridge picked up their first win in eight against Shrewsbury last weekend, but face a much tougher test in fifth-placed Charlton this afternoon, the Addicks could virtually secure a play-off berth if results go their way today.

Stockport County can also go a long way to ensuring their season goes into extra time with a win against mid-table Rotherham.

Bolton Wanderers are aiming to secure a fourth consecutive season in the play-offs as they seek a return to the Championship for the first time since 2019. The Trotters aren't currently in the top six, but could end the day there if Reading don't beat Northampton. Barnsley host Steven Schumacher's men at Oakwell this afternoon.

Burton are the 'best' placed of the sides in the bottom four, and host play-off seeking Huddersfield at the Pirelli. Neither of these sides are lighting it up at the moment, having won two and lost four of their previous six.

Another relegation-v-play-off-chasing scrap takes place in Sussex, where 22nd place Crawley host ninth-placed Leyton Orient. The Red Devils have the worst defensive record in the division and are running out of time to avoid an immediate return to League Two.

At the bottom, we're all well aware of Shrewsbury's predicament at the foot of the table, and their fate can be sealed today if Bristol Rovers pick up all three points against Exeter.

Important narratives at both ends, then. Don't go anywhere...

Northampton Town's impressive 4-0 victory over Peterborough last time out was a big one - and not just in terms of the scoreline!

It leaves them seven points ahead of the relegation fight at the bottom and while they may not be totally safe just yet, it's precious breathing space.

They can drag themselves even closer towards stay in League One this afternoon with a win against Reading, a club who have even worse fears than relegation.

The Royals are desperately seeking new ownership or risk suspension from the EFL completely and the deadline is looming.

Somehow though, despite such uncertain times, the visitors have managed to climb into a play-off spot.

With adversity seeming no bother in the hunt for promotion and advanced talks with a new bidder on the horizon, perhaps Reading's tumultuous year can have a fairytale ending.

Shrewsbury's relegation from League One feels imminent.

In fact, it could be today should Bristol Rovers defeat Exeter City - even a win for Salop over Lincoln City would do them no favours.

They haven't won since February and even playing for the pride of not coming dead last is going to be a task, with the Shropshire side six points below Cambridge United just one place above them.

But, with a drop down to League Two for the first time in a decade looming, there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

Having been abandoned by previous boss Gareth Ainsworth for Gillingham, their current man in charge Michael Appleton says he's hoping to stay with the club even if they end up a tier lower.

"It's one of them where when you're in a role and, rightly or wrongly, you start talking about next season. Even though my contract doesn't suggest that's the case, it's just a natural. It's what you do," Appleton told BBC Radio Shropshire.

But can Appleton already start building the momentum to go into next season feeling positive? A victory against a solid Imps side would be a good start.

Two fixtures stick out like a sore thumb from the games starting at 15:00 (BST) in League Two - just what type of an afternoon is it going to be for supporters of Accrington, Tranmere, Morecambe and Carlisle?

League Two

Accrington Stanley v Tranmere Rovers

Barrow v Walsall

Chesterfield v Fleetwood Town

Gillingham v MK Dons

Harrogate Town v Grimsby Town

Morecambe v Carlisle United

Newport County v Colchester United

Port Vale v Bromley

So, we still have eight more games to come in the third tier from 15:00 (BST) and each match has something riding on it for at least one of the teams.

League One

Barnsley v Bolton Wanderers

Bristol Rovers v Exeter City

Burton Albion v Huddersfield Town

Cambridge United v Charlton Athletic

Crawley Town v Leyton Orient

Lincoln City v Shrewsbury Town

Northampton Town v Reading

Stockport County v Rotherham United

Bradford miss a big chance to take a grip on top spot with their 5-4 defeat by Swindon while Doncaster's draw with AFC Wimbledon is a massive help to Walsall and Port Vale before their games this afternoon.

Just a reminder Bradford go to Doncaster on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Well, well, well. Isn't this looking interesting.

Wrexham's goalless draw with Wigan Athletic not only hands Birmingham City the title but also sees Wycombe climb to within one after a last-ditch victory over Stevenage.

Over to you Stockport County and Charlton Athletic. What can you do?

Louis Reynolds
BBC Radio Leeds

My word what have we seen this afternoon?

The game changing moment was captain Richard Samllwood being sent off at 2-0.

A barrage of pressure in the second half from Swindon got them back into things and a stoppage-time goal condemns Bradford City to defeat.

This promotion race is getting tighter and tighter.

Nathan Clarke
Former Bradford City defender on BBC Radio Leeds

Really frustrating, Bradford got deeper and deeper throughout the second half and that has been our own undoing.

They never got to grips with stopping the crosses.

No other word for it other than madness.

Calum Kavanagh scores a first-half hat-trick for Bradford and they lose.

Visiting skipper Richard Smallwood was sent off with his side 2-0 up and a Neill Byrne own goal reduced the deficit to 2-1 only for Kavanagh to score a third before Kabongo Tshimanga made it 3-2 on the stroke of half time.

Harry Smith fired Swindon level against the 10 men but Brad Halliday thought he'd sent Bradford five points clear at the top only for Smith to equalise again.

That might have been it but visiting defender Jack Shepherd turned a cross past Sam Walker in the fifth minute of injury time to send the County Ground into absolute chaos.

I think that's it....checks notes...yep that's it - phew!

It finishes level - one point each - is that enough?

Alistair Smith had the Dons ahead before they had skipper Jake Reeves sent off.

Doncaster huffed and puffed but even with a man advantage they couldn't find the leveller.

Substitute Billy Sharp had only been on the field for 60 seconds and hadn't touched the ball before he was dismissed for violent conduct.

Jamie Sterry earned a point with a shot from the edge of the box.

Now it's over to Port Vale and Walsall.

Harry Smith has scored two goals and now he has a yellow card for a confrontation with Jack Shepherd.

We are four minutes into the seven added on by Thomas Kirk.

Wycombe get an added time winner to cut the deficit to the one remaining automatic promotion spot to just a single point.

It could have been different if Carl Piergianni's shot had made it past Chairboys stopper Will Norris but that fabulous save made up half the difference.

It kept the sheet clean for Caleb Taylor to steal all three points in the 91st minute.

A big, big win.

Louis Reynolds
BBC Radio Leeds

Heartbreak for Bradford City in the final minute of regular time, the towering Harry Smith levels things up.

An eighth goal of the game.

Football can be so cruel sometimes.

We are into seven minutes of time added on.

Alistair Smith and James Tilley both try their luck for the visitors but can't find the target.

Image source, Rex Features

That result at the Brick Community Stadium confirms that Birmingham City are League One champions.

That's that. Birmingham have won the title with Wrexham held to a goalless stalemate at the Brick Community Stadium.

The Red Dragons couldn't muster a single shot on target and while gifting Blues the title is one thing, the result as it stands over at Adams Park will sting a whole lot more.